If you're searching for a lawyer right now, you're probably looking for the "best lawyer," right?

Here's the truth about searching for a "best" lawyer in Virginia. There isn't one. What you will find is that there isn't necessarily a best lawyer for you and your case, but there is the right lawyer for you and your case.

For example, at BenGlassLaw, we frequently represent people who have gone through one of three problems: accidents that caused injuries, medical malpractice victims, and people who have a long-term disability claim denied. We might be a great fit for people who need representation for those issues. However, we would not be a good fit for someone who is filing bankruptcy for example, since we don't focus our practice on that area of the law.

We usually recommend that people find a law firm that isn't just a general practice firm since it is useful to know that the firm you hire has experience in your type of case. A generalist may not know exactly how to handle your case and the risk of something bad happening increases. You probably don't want a lawyer who's "learning on the job."

Find a Firm You Can Trust

Now, finding a firm that focuses on your particular problem is useful, but it is equally important to find a firm that you actually want to work with. Legal issues are always stressful to deal with, so you want a team that you feel you can trust with your case. One of the ways that we build trust with potential clients like you is by publishing free reports and books on accidents and injuries, medical malpractice, and long-term disability. This information is free even before calling the firm, if you want it (some people want to talk with our team right away, and we're always happy to hear from you).

When you talk with the law firm, make sure that they show some level of knowledge of your particular type of case. This again goes back to finding a focused practice, but it will also be important to your level of trust with the firm. You want to know there won't be moments when the attorneys are wondering what the next step will be with your case.

Trust is all the more important when you're dealing with smaller sections of the law, like the ERISA long-term disability claims we handle. Not many attorneys handle those cases, and we've seen some really rough outcomes in cases that were taken on by the wrong attorney.

Look at the Reviews

Ultimately, finding the "best lawyer" for your case is going to be relatively subjective. However, there are review sites you can use to figure out if a lawyer would be right for you where lawyers and clients alike have left feedback.

One of the best places to look is on Avvo. You can see an example of my own Avvo profile here.

SuperLawyers have been nominated by their peers, while Google features reviews from past clients and people who have dealt with the law firm. Avvo is actually a combination of both, with peer endorsements and client reviews being featured on the site. All of this information can help pair you with the right lawyer for your case.